Re: Mister Grey-Andsensible speaks: | Forum

The Ridgeway 16

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getting rid of the 4by4s

habibi Jul 10, 2003 21:30:31

Replying to Moth

regarding cyclists - i don't know, you're probably right, there's nutters in every mode of transport -but i have a heavy pro-bike bias that's difficult for me to break out of. in my daily eight mile commute, i see car drivers pulling out, cutting me off, jumping red lights (it now seems 'acceptable' on the road for cars to jump the red by at least 3-4 seconds) - so its difficult for me to get a sense of perspective on cyclists doing the same, they may only be acting out a kind of misguided vengeance against their own transgressors. i jump the occasional red at 7am when no one's about, and only at traffic lights that primarily exist to regulate the flow of peak hour traffic - there are two such sets on my route - but that's about it. i guess unconfident cyclists are the main danger to motorists, because they are so unpredictable. if you assert yourself as a cyclist in urban traffic, claim your space (but not unreasonably), then motorists tend to feel more comfortable with your presence, and are less likely to treat you as a 'mobile obstacle'.

Moth Jul 10, 2003 22:15:26

Replying to habibi

Yup. That's what I thought you'd (not unreasonably) say! And on most points I'm with you all the way.

For me it goes without saying that a lot of motorists don't see cyclists in the right way or don't see them at all!! But I believe in the majority of cases it is ignorance rather than maliciousness.

Trouble is most motorists have never cycled. They may have had bikes....but, you know what I mean.

(Has to be said though that they've all been pedestrians, but still often treat pedestrians with contempt!!!)

About the only thing I wouldn't agree with is why some cyclists 'take liberties'. I think it's more like they have the same lack of care that the drivers who jump light etc have.

And it's always been the same - I can remember as a 15-or-so-year-old lecturing (oh dear) one of my mates about why he shouldn't just zip up the inside of the car at the front of a queue at a junction, because there was a good chance the car would turn left and squish him! But you see cyclists do it all the time.

Like most things in life, I reckon the proportion of good cyclists and bad cyclists, and good drivers and bad drivers is probably pretty similar. (Same for motorbikes too.) Of course a bad driver is more likely to cause more serious damage to a cyclist than a bad cyclist is to a driver!!!

Licenses for talking anyone? (I'd be banned for a start....)

love

Moth